Nonpartisan Candidate for Ocoee City Commission, District 2
Education: 1979 graduate from University of Central Florida In Bachelors Degree in Social Work
Occupation: Program Coordinator for the Christian Service Center, Family and Emergency Services Program, located in Ocoee. I have been employed for the last 22 years with this agency.
Home: Ocoee
Age: 59
Past Political/Civic Experience: City Commissioner District 2, for the past 6 years; West Orange Healthcare District. Trustee , Governor Appointment; Tri-County League of Cities. Board Member (current); Woman's Club of Ocoee. Board Member (current); Lions Club of Ocoee member (current); I have served on numerous Boards within the City of Ocoee ( Education Commission, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, Child Protection and Recommendation Committee); 2002 Volunteer of the Year in Ocoee; 9 years member of the Spring Fling Organizers for the City of Ocoee, (current); Former member of the Founders' Day Committee; 2012 Non Rotarian of the Year, Ocoee Rotary Club
Website: http://www.ElectRosemary.com
Email: ElectRosemary@gmail.com
Q: What is your top priority if elected?
After having benefited from a State of Florida Grant, the city needs to improve the corridor leading from Highway 429 into downtown Ocoee, allowing Ocoee to create its own identity and business district. Another area of great importance that is to begin this year, is the Orlando Ave/Bluford Ave intersection which will eliminate the pool of water that gathers after a rain. This will only be the start to upgrading the failing infastructure within the city, we need to invest in Ocoee's future. Water conservation is a very important topic and we as a community need to aggressively learn to protect and conserve our water supply and use reclaimed water. We need to foster thriving businesses in Ocoee. Updating the infrastructure will support commercial and residential growth and best serve our residents while expanding our tax base.
Q: What makes you the best candidate in the race?
As having spent 10 years as a resident advocate prior to being first elected in 2009, I devoted my time and efforts to make Ocoee a wonderful place we call home. I have walked the neighborhoods, and attended HOA meetings, and timely responded to citizen concerns. I have been prepared and actively involved in Ocoee for over 15 years and a vocal member of the commission for 6 years all in the best interest of our residents. I have a genuine interest in Ocoee to foster steady commercial growth. As a community, we need to collectively invest in Ocoee's future.
Q: Please list important issues and briefly state your position on those issues.
After having received a $100,000 grant from the state in collaboration with the City of Winter Garden to study the Highway 429 corridor, we need to implement the plans that are developed.; Capitalize on the Health Central's $120 million dollar hospital expansion, this is good for our community and a huge asset.; Promoting local business in connection to our new Lakeshore Center and the recently renovated Withers Maguire House.; Increase the capacity and expansion of our reclaimed water system with no rate increases; Finish the long overdue neighborhood park on Montgomery Avenue; When Highway 50 is completed, the city will benefit from $120 thousand dollars in upgrades to the lighting on Highway 50 from DOT.
Q: How can you improve Ocoee?
We need to maintain an open mind to possibilities that will improve Ocoee with responsible steady growth.
Q: If you wish to address some issue not listed above, I invite you to submit a brief statement on that matter.
We need to revisit the red light camera program with independent studies to ensure that the safety of our motorists and pedestrians is the primary purpose and not to generate revenue.; Continue to make the permitting process a consumer friendly and timely program with the E permitting program.; To be ever alert to reducing city expenses without sacrificing services to our residents.; I have a genuine interest in the well being of others, with no allegiance to any special interest groups except that of my residents. I have a sense for the greater good and that is MY core mission as a City Commissioner.